TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Because of a dwindling oyster population, a Florida agency is expected to shut down oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay through the end of 2025, dealing a blow to an area that historically produced 90% of the state’s oysters and 10% of the nation’s.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is scheduled to vote on the closure Wednesday during a virtual meeting.
People in the area are divided between coming up with a long-term plan to save the industry, and allowing it to continue on a limited basis.“It breaks my heart, man.
I’ve watched boats out there my whole life,” said Brandon Martina, who works at Lynn's Quality Oysters, a bayfront business his family has run since 1971.